The award recognizes an outstanding physician on the Sentara RMH Medical Staff who demonstrates excellence in patient care, customer service, communication and teamwork.

All Sentara RMH employees and members of the Sentara RMH Medical Staff can nominate physicians for the award. This year, 23 different physicians were nominated for the Golden Stethoscope.

Dr. Vest joined the Sentara RMH Medical Staff in 1982. He attended medical school at the University of Virginia. He completed his internship at the University of Rochester Associated Hospitals and his gastroenterology residency at the University of Rochester, The Genesee Hospital. He is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine.

“I have been partners with Dr. Vest for 20 years. He has been committed to quality patient care at Sentara RMH for more than 30 years,” wrote Tim Landes, MD, HMA gastroenterologist, in his nomination. “He started out practicing general internal medicine and GI care and even tells stories of putting in cardiac pacemakers in the ICU. He not only has been a mentor to me in my GI practice, but also a fine example to many other physicians in delivering compassionate, dedicated, up-to-date care for all patients.”

In her nomination, Sentara RMH employee Debby Ritchie wrote, “Not only did I work with Dr. Vest, I have been a patient of his for 15 years. He is supremely the gentleman and gentle physician. He has always been great to work with, kind and caring with his patients. He listens, is respectful and takes into consideration the wishes of the patient. He is just so wise, which comes from years of experience, but a lot of folks don't know that because he has another rare quality, and that is he is humble. As Dr. [Dale] Carroll [RMH CMO] would say, Dr. Vest definitely comes from the day when ‘giants walked the halls of RMH,’ and yet he has stayed current and very competent.”

Sentara RMH President Jim Krauss and Dr. Michael Botticelli, chief of staff for Sentara RMH, presented the Golden Stethoscope Award to Dr. Vest at a ceremony on May 13.

Virtual TourPlanning a visit to Sentara RMH? Take a tour of our campus before you come.Talk to UsSentara RMH appreciates your feedback.Sign up for updates and news from Sentara RMH!Enter your email address below to receive health and news updates from RMHOnline.com!